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Phone: (08) 9214 2210
media@westnet.com.au

Follow-up: 'Spam Sees Westnet Blocked by BigPond'

Tuesday 29 July 2005

In follow-up to the article published on ZDNet Australia, 29 July 2005, titled 'Spam Sees Westnet Blocked by BigPond', Westnet wish to release further information regarding the spam incident.

The article stated that a significant amount of spam was released from Westnet's mail servers, which BigPond subsequently blocked from its own mail server earlier this week.

Westnet wish to clarify that the spam was initiated by an external party that exploited certain vulnerabilities in a customer's website that it hosted. This website supported its own email service, which the spammer abused to send a mass of unsolicited email.

"We acknowledge that BigPond's active blocking of this particular spam message was the most agreeable course of action", says Westnet Managing Director, Peter Brown.

Westnet also confirms that the website in question was shut down immediately after it became aware of the release of the spam.

"We view all spam as a serious crime and have very strict anti-spam policies. We support the cause of anti-spam programs and have implemented our own methods to reduce spam on the Internet, including rate limiting which monitors and limits mass emailing", says Mr Brown.

Westnet have put measures in place to ensure that there is no further exploitation of its customers' websites. It also offers its customers a spam filtering service to protect them from receiving a mass of unsolicited junk email.

About Westnet

  • Westnet is a Western Australian-based internet service provider (ISP), owned 100% by iiNet, with a business model driven by customer service
  • 70% of Westnet's 450 total staff occupy customer facing roles
  • Westnet currently serves approximately 225,000 members
  • Westnet has been named 'Best Broadband ISP' by PC Authority Magazine for 3 years running
  • Westnet was recently rated best Australian ISP for customer service for the 7th year running in Whirlpool's 2009 Australian Broadband User Survey.

For further information please contact:

Dan Scott
Marketing Manager
Phone: (08) 9218 2600
Mobile: 0415 240 970
Email: dan.scott@staff.westnet.com.au
Web: www.westnet.com.au

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